Fantasy Baseball Expert Interview - Matt Lutovsky

Welcome back to the newest installment in our series of interviews aimed at giving readers insight into the minds and backgrounds of those fantasy writers and pundits who have reached the level of "expert." It seems there has been an explosion in the number of people claiming the title in the last few years, but no one seems to know where they come from. These interviews aim to change all that, while also giving aspiring "experts" (such as myself) some advice on both how to break into the industry and ways to improve your fantasy skills.

 

Our guest this week is Matt Lutovsky, one of the top fantasy writers for industry leader The Sporting News.

 

In your opinion, what makes you a fantasy expert? (basically the polite way of asking - why should people listen to you?)

 

I have good feel for what it takes to be competitive in fantasy leagues -- types of players you want, types to avoid, draft situations, etc. But more than that, I enjoy digging through stats and trying to prove or disprove widely held beliefs about players or trends. For instance, I was confused this year as to why everyone just took for granted that Josh Hamilton was a first-round pick, but Carlos Quentin was dropping to third or fourth rounds in a lot of drafts. They're basically the same player and have about the same major league track record. Based on per plate appearance numbers, Quentin was better last year (which a lot of people might not realize). Yet, fewer people believe in him than Hamilton. Why?

 

I love looking for stuff like that and expounding on it. Sometimes you start digging through the numbers and find out you're wrong. So be it, but you have to look. I take pride in doing that, and I take pride in always looking ahead and trying to figure out potential issues before they even pop up. I'm not always right, but I'm always looking.

How many years have you been playing fantasy?

 

Early on, I intentionally avoided fantasy sports because I knew once I started playing, I would be hooked. In 2001, a friend desperately needed another manager for a fantasy basketball league or he wouldn't be able to hold his draft that day. I reluctantly agreed to help him out, and that was that. Now it's football, baseball and basketball every year, with numerous teams in both football and baseball.

 

When did you start writing on the subject?

 

I began doing freelance fantasy pieces in late 2004, and I started at Sporting News in September of '07.

 

How did you get your start?

 

I came across an online job posting for contributing fantasy writers, and I answered it. I didn't get paid much, but it was still good experience and helped me get some published clips under my belt. I saw the Sporting News job posting online and sent in my resume and clips. I wish there was a better story, but that's really all there was to it.

 

What made you want to get into the industry?

 

Well, I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a traditional reporter, and I've always loved reading and analyzing stats. Obviously, I also had a love of fantasy sports in general. Writing about fantasy sports allowed me to take a more analytical approach to things and really delve into stats and situations more than just writing news or even features. Plus, I knew how quickly the fantasy sports industry was growing, and I knew that its potential -- especially in terms of coverage -- was nowhere even close to being maximized. I wasn't quite getting in on the "ground floor," but it was close. And I think that's always an opportunity you want.

 

What advice would you have specific for people who want to break into the industry?

 

Keep writing (on any site that will let you) and keep researching. Research is really the key, especially with baseball. People are more stat-savvy now, so you need numbers to back up your arguments. You need to learn where to go to find the numbers you need, then you need to learn what to make of them once you find them. That's half the battle. From there, you just need to figure out your writing style and try to get your name out.

What advice would you give writers who are working for a smaller site or their own blog, but want to make the leap to a more mainstream site?

 

Aside from making it a daily habit to check out the various job-posting sites such as Monster, Careerbuilder, JournalismJobs.com, and fswa.org, I'd say just keep working hard and periodically send your resume and clips to a site you'd like to work for. Worst case, they say "Thanks but no thanks." Best case, you get the job. Most likely, you don't get the job right away, but at least they're aware of you.

 

Let's play a quick game of "favorites." Player?

 

It's becoming increasingly difficult to have a favorite player, especially when you're a fan of a mid-market team like Minnesota. The good ones don't seem to stay around for very long. Before last season, it was without a doubt Johan Santana. I remember watching him as a reliever and knew he'd be a star someday. Right now, it's probably Kevin Slowey. Well, no, it's probably Mauer, but that's too easy. Plus, he can't be my favorite "player" when he's not actually "playing." As far as non-Twins, it's still probably Johan.

 

Fantasy memory/moment?

 

Overall, it's definitely Brandon Jacobs getting three TDs -- including one in overtime -- in the Sunday nighter in Week 16 this year to help me win a fantasy title by 0.8 points.

 

For baseball, it's probably something really random, like the time I picked up Russell Branyan for a week and he hit four homers. It's more difficult to pinpoint with baseball. I don't think I've ever personally watched one of my fantasy players dominate -- maybe Santana sometime -- so it would have to be something stupid like Branyan hitting the homers or the time last season when Manny Ramirez stole his first base in two years, which led to me winning SBs by one that week.

 

Actually, I do remember on a Sunday back in 2005, Torii Hunter went 1-for-4 with a homer, four RBIs and two SBs and it singlehandedly won me RBIs and SBs and broke the tie in homers for that week. How sad is it I actually remember that?

 

Fantasy writer at a site other than your own?

 

I'll cheat a bit and say the guys from Yahoo! I think they're all solid writers.

 

Do you enjoy fantasy sports more or less since you entered the industry?

 

Mostly more, but there are days I feel like I'm in too many leagues. That takes some of the fun away. I really don't like AL- or NL-only leagues, but I'm in one of each since it helps me write about single leagues. But, ultimately, I get competitive about every league I'm in, so I still enjoy it all quite a bit.

 

Do you enjoy sports more or less?

 

Definitely more. I feel like I know more about sports now, especially since I'm able to watch more games. There are times when football and baseball are overlapping that it can get pretty busy, which makes you just wish one of them didn't exist, but that feeling doesn't last long.

 

In 2 sentences or less, what's your best Fantasy Baseball tip for 2009?

 

Keey ya head up (I stole that from 2PAC, but I'm fairly certain he was talking about fantasy baseball when he said it).

What advice would you have for people who are playing in their first season?

 

Don't get overwhelmed and quit if you're team doesn't do well right away. Baseball is pretty different from football, and it can be hard to stay on top of things. You don't need to be obsessive about it, but if you stick with it, you'll eventually figure out a pattern and things will get easier.

Thanks for your time. Before I let you go, any prediction for our upcoming matchup?

 

Well, given my early-season pitching problems, I'll say you win 4-6. Or me 10-0. One of the two.